Stephen Schwartz discusses “Pocahontas,” “Prince of Egypt,” and Cynthia Erivo’s “extraordinary” performance in the film “Wicked”
Legendary composer Stephen Schwartz has composed unforgettable melodies for Broadway musicals, live-action movies, and beloved animated pictures throughout his illustrious career. In that Venn diagram, The Prince of Egypt: The Musical is positioned in the middle.
Just in time for the holidays, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has made The Prince of Egypt, a colorful recording of the 2017 West End stage production based on the DreamWorks SKG 1998 animated picture, available on digital platforms. In addition to transferring hit songs from the film, such as “All I Ever Wanted” and “When You Believe,” Schwartz created new songs based on his first investigation into Middle Eastern music for the stage production.
According to Schwartz, “DreamWorks arranged for the creative team to go on a field trip to Egypt,” Yahoo Entertainment. “I purchased a number of Egyptian pop CDs on the streets of Cairo and listened to a lot of Middle Eastern music, including Hebrew lullabies and folk pieces. I attempted to include all of that into the score’s composition.
In the instance of “When You Believe,” Schwartz also skillfully incorporated the Jewish prayer “Mi Chamocha” into the song’s original lyrics. This is a technique that is replicated in both the stage production and the movie. Schwartz recollects, “One of the film’s directors suggested the idea when we were at the Sinai Desert.” “I wrote the basic tune back then, and subsequently DreamWorks connected me with a Hebrew-speaking rabbi who provided the text for what was dubbed the ‘tune of the Sea,’ which is said to be the song the Hebrew tribes sung as they broke free from slavery. I combined that little segment with “Mi Chamocha,” taking the portions that expressed appreciation and encouragement.